Save the Children's Commitment to Safeguarding
Save the Children is dedicated to protecting the most vulnerable children globally. This work would not be possible without safeguarding.
Communities affected by crises are vulnerable and rely on Save the Children for life-saving support. When this trust is broken, it causes long-term harm to children, families and communities. We are committed to safeguarding the communities we serve and upholding the trust placed in us. Safeguarding is the first principle of our Code of Ethics and we have a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of harm caused by Save the Children representatives, partners, programs, or operations.
To learn more, read our Safeguarding and Counter-Human Trafficking Policy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Safeguarding
What is safeguarding?
Safeguarding is ensuring that everyone who interacts with Save the Children is safe from harm—whether deliberate or accidental—caused by Save the Children’s representatives, partners, programs, or operations.
Why do we need safeguarding?
The rights and well-being of children, their families, and the communities that we work with are Save the Children’s number one priority. The goal of our programs is to improve lives, not to cause further harm. Safeguarding is our ethical responsibility and is the primary consideration in all of the work that we do.
How To Report Concerns:
- By phone: (844) 287 – 1892
- Online: SavetheChildren.EthicsPoint.com
- By email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Save the Children has a zero-tolerance approach to abuse, exploitation, human trafficking, harassment, and discrimination against program participants and community members by any of our representatives or partners. All reported safeguarding concerns will be thoroughly examined and where needed, investigated by trained investigators.
Save the Children is committed to responding to all safeguarding concerns in a survivor-centered way. This means that the safety, dignity, and well-being of the survivor are the primary considerations in all steps we take after a safeguarding concern is reported. Reported concerns will be kept confidential and, if requested, anonymous, to the extent possible. Save the Children does not tolerate retaliation against those reporting their concerns in good faith.
Chiluba (right) and Agness (left) posing for a photo
What is the difference between safeguarding and protection?
Safeguarding is about making Save the Children safe for children, their families, and the communities we serve. It involves organizational policies, procedures, and practices designed to protect everyone who comes into contact with Save the Children.
Protection focuses on keeping the community safe for children, their families, and communities. It refers to actions taken to prevent harm, including addressing claims of abuse that happen externally to Save the Children.
How does Save the Children safeguard children, families, and communities where we work?
- Awareness and Training: Make Save the Children representatives, children, their families, and communities aware of the standards of behavior they can expect from us and how to raise their concerns.
- Prevention: Proactively assess the risks to children, families, and communities within our programs and operations, and engage in effective strategies to mitigate harm, abuse, and exploitation.
- Reporting: Ensure the Save the Children representatives, children, families and communities know how to report and who to contact when any concern arises, no matter how seemingly small.
- Responding: Take all concerns seriously and respond rapidly, ensuring that the wellbeing of children and adult survivors are at the center of all decisions that are made.